Boromo: The city of Boromo hosted the belated celebration of World Water Day 2026 on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The event was held under the international theme "Water and Gender: Water, a Source of Equality" and the national theme "Water, a Vital Resource and a Source of Sovereignty." The activity benefited from the technical and financial support of the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (Enabel) through the Lasso Health and Lasso WASH projects, funded by the European Union.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event was overseen by the Governor of the Bankui region, represented by the High Commissioner of the Mouhoun province, and under the aegis of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries (DRAERAH) of Bankui. The celebrations included guided tours of infrastructure projects, interactive booths, skits performed by students, and speeches followed by commitments from partners and regional authorities.
The first stop on the tour took the delegation to the Boromo District Hospital, where Enabel plans to rehabilitate and expand the operating theater and maternity ward as part of the Lasso Health and Lasso WASH projects. The district hospital's medical director presented the architectural plans for the future complex, which aims to incorporate a center for the treatment of gender-based violence. The Lasso Sant© project also includes plans for medical-technical equipment once the construction is completed.
The Boromo district health center's drinking water supply system has been improved with a new 15 m³ water tower equipped with a hybrid pumping system powered by electricity and solar energy. This infrastructure is designed to enhance care quality and access to water, hygiene, and sanitation within the health facility.
The delegation also visited the site of the water network expansion project in Boromo, supported by the Lasso WASH project for the National Water and Sanitation Office (ONEA). The project involves extending the drinking water network by approximately 20 km, with ten standpipes installed so far, three of which are operational. These facilities aim to improve access to drinking water for the population, benefiting nearly 200 households and more than 5,000 people.
In a further step towards improving sanitation, the delegation inspected new latrines built in Boromo East primary schools. These facilities, designed for students, include separate blocks for girls and boys and are inclusive of people with reduced mobility and the hygienic management of menstruation.
Exhibition stands from several project partners, including WaterAid, ONEA, and the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries Resources, showcased various initiatives in the WASH sector in Burkina Faso. Participants explored water treatment processes, hydraulic network monitoring activities, and more.
The commemorative ceremony continued with speeches and performances. Isae Bamogo, President of the Special Delegation of Boromo Commune, highlighted the commitment to equitable water access and women's leadership. Ga«l Sidbewendin Yam©ogo, Regional Director of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, reported a 68.9% drinking water access rate in the region, attributing this to joint efforts with partners like Enabel.
Julie Van der Smissen, Program Manager at Enabel, emphasized the partnership's aim to improve access to water, sanitation, health, and education. High Commissioner Bassouleymane Ouattara noted the province's high access rate of 90.7% and called for continued efforts to maintain this momentum, as 78.9% of the Burkinab¨ population has access to drinking water.
Overall, since 2015, more than 21 million euros have been mobilized by the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union to support WASH projects in Burkina Faso. These investments have enabled significant improvements in drinking water services, benefiting multiple sectors including health centers, schools, and local authorities.